Cameron Carr Transferring

[BruisedOrange]

Carr will find a place where he's allowed to play to his strengths, and he will show out.

But whatever holes are in his game--holes that Barnes was holding him accountable for--will remain...
and follow him to the next level in his attempts to become a professional.

But in a larger context, all of us who "coach" our own lives and careers have probably been guilty of slipping downward into "more comfortable" challenges, instead of taking the longer, harder road that demands we face our dragons.

 

[tennrich1]

JMO...but we are GREATLY over analyzing this situation and making it into a program changing event (other than the injury possibility and numbers issue it won't affect us)...Just my opinion. To be perfectly honest....I never felt comfortable when Carr was on the court.

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

Even if all that is true, then it still sounds like he was being selfish thinking he deserved something he hadn't earned, and based on what we're finding out about his limited time in Knoxville, that doesn't seem all that surprising. It seems like we brought in competition and he didn't like having to earn his spot. The irony of which is thick, considering he will now be going to another program where he's the mercenary help being brought in.

I wish him all the best, but I think he and his people have an inflated view of his ability and potentially a belief that his ability somehow affords him the luxury of some sort of status he's not really earned, on or off the court (allegedly). College sports is a cutthroat world, anymore, with the portal. I guess he will get an opportunity to learn that from both ends of the spectrum, now.

Missed this initially...spot on all points imo

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

JMO...but we are GREATLY over analyzing this situation and making it into a program changing event (other than the injury possibility and numbers issue it won't affect us)...Just my opinion. To be perfectly honest....I never felt comfortable when Carr was on the court.

Eh...it's a bit slow right now with the holiday schedule before SEC play starts. Agree it won't affect this season too much but def would have been nice to see how he could continue to grow and contribute this year on what is hopefully another historic run. The real issue is next year but from how this went down sounds like he might not have been able to be the kind of leader we need anyway.

 

[BruisedOrange]

JMO...but we are GREATLY over analyzing this situation and making it into a program changing event (other than the injury possibility and numbers issue it won't affect us)...Just my opinion. To be perfectly honest....I never felt comfortable when Carr was on the court.

I always felt that way, too, until this season (a small sample, for sure). His play this year seemed more mature. Offensively and defensively we operated the same as a team when he entered the game. Before this season, his desire to have immediate impact actually broke down our offense, and his defense could be hot & cold.

I always had the feeling that his limitations were all inside, a late one to mature--which isn't unusual with young men who excel in a given area. That pre-frontal cortex doesn't reach full development in some 'til age 30!

But maybe the seeds planted by Barnes will start to take root and bear fruit on someone else's farm. Maybe he'll get on a team where he's (relatively) more mature, and he can become a leader instead of bearing that "underachiever" label.

That has happened with other Barnes players who left his teams, IIRC.

 

[tennrich1]

I always felt that way, too, until this season (a small sample, for sure). His play this year seemed more mature. Offensively and defensively we operated the same as a team when he entered the game. Before this season, his desire to have immediate impact actually broke down our offense, and his defense could be hot & cold.

I always had the feeling that his limitations were all inside, a late one to mature--which isn't unusual with young men who excel in a given area. That pre-frontal cortex doesn't reach full development in some 'til age 30!

But maybe the seeds planted by Barnes will start to take root and bear fruit on someone else's farm. Maybe he'll get on a team where he's (relatively) more mature, and he can become a leader instead of bearing that "underachiever" label.

That has happened with other Barnes players who left his teams, IIRC.

Let's hope so for sure. I think your description is accurate ....he just seemed "unsure" of how to mesh into a role when on the floor. His body language seem to suggest insecurity or even phlegmatic overtures.... however I, too, saw a time or two when all things were flowing and his talent flowed too and he was successful for a quick moment. Hard to say....may go somewhere that defense is not stressed and he can be an offensive asset. CLEARLY....his handling of the departure has dampened his legacy here and that's unfortunate.

 

[BruisedOrange]

Let's hope so for sure. I think your description is accurate ....he just seemed "unsure" of how to mesh into a role when on the floor. His body language seem to suggest insecurity or even phlegmatic overtures.... however I, too, saw a time or two when all things were flowing and his talent flowed too and he was successful for a quick moment. Hard to say....may go somewhere that defense is not stressed and he can be an offensive asset. CLEARLY....his handling of the departure has dampened his legacy here and that's unfortunate.

Well said.

As for your wish that he might

go somewhere that defense is not stressed and he can be an offensive asset

...I think you just described the NBA!

And maybe that's what the advising voices in his life were saying, that his value at the next level would be based more on his offense than his defense, so to invest his college years on that end of the court.

I'd still question any advice to prepare your game to fit a league whose rules and style of play are losing money and viewership. Gotta figure even the China-bowing NBA won't keep riding that same pony into financial ruin. Defense and mid-range shooting is gonna have to make a comeback, just to make the pro game watchable.

 

[SGMVols]

Just because scoring in the NBA is up does not mean “they don’t play defense” - offensive skill in the NBA is just at an all time high. If nobody defended, everyone would average 200 points a game.

Carr does not have nearly enough offensive game to get to the NBA if he doesn’t grow a ton defensively. The only memorable thing he ever did here was shoot a corner 3 into the side of the backboard, and I think he did it multiple times.

He will regret leaving.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

NBA just signed a massive new media rights deal a few months ago. The rumors of the league’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.

 

[Volfan1000]

Mike Wilson had a solid article on the Carr defection in today's Knoxville News Sentinel.

One snippet from the article stated that Jamai Mashack and Zakai Ziegler stated that they WANT people who WANT to BE at Tennessee and be part of the culture and team.

 

[gainesvol82]

I've not seen his destination confirmed, but if I had to guess, I'd say Kansas State. Thats who we beat for him when he committed and he is from Manhattan, KS, IIRC. Mizzou is another one I'd keep an eye on.

Best of luck at K-State.....should be a solid defender after 2 seasons in our program. Hope he loses every game (unless his team winning helps UT) if he stays in conference.

 

[ptgrbn]

Best of luck at K-State.....should be a solid defender after 2 seasons in our program. Hope he loses every game (unless his team winning helps UT) if he stays in conference.

Nobody cares where he ends up given how he conducted his departure. He was a body at this juncture anyway.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

Funny that Carr and his camp think he's some guaranteed NBA product when Vols generational NCAA first team player is coming off the bench of the Lakers. Carr is no where near the talent or have the same work ethic as Knecht. Good luck to him

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Funny that Carr and his camp think he's some guaranteed NBA product when Vols generational NCAA first team player is coming off the bench of the Lakers. Carr is no where near the talent or have the same work ethic as Knecht. Good luck to him

And Knecht might be the third or fourth option on the all Vol generational team. Too many young players are deluded because of their "handlers"

Actually it's not "might"

 

[Rushin Orange Collusion]

Funny that Carr and his camp think he's some guaranteed NBA product when Vols generational NCAA first team player is coming off the bench of the Lakers. Carr is no where near the talent or have the same work ethic as Knecht. Good luck to him

Normally, I would wish the young man good luck. In this case, though, it would be very hypocritical to do so considering he quit on his teammates and coaches mid-season.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

Just because scoring in the NBA is up does not mean “they don’t play defense” - offensive skill in the NBA is just at an all time high. If nobody defended, everyone would average 200 points a game.

Carr does not have nearly enough offensive game to get to the NBA if he doesn’t grow a ton defensively. The only memorable thing he ever did here was shoot a corner 3 into the side of the backboard, and I think he did it multiple times.

He will regret leaving.

After reflection, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I’m glad he’s gone becausa drama queen like him can do more harm than good for a team like the one we have. On the other hand, I believe he’s incredibly talented and is capable of having a successful career if he ends up in the right spot. The right spot for him wasn’t here based on the info / rumors we have heard at this point. Kid has a whole lot of growing up to do.

 

[CAVPUT]

And Knecht might be the third or fourth option on the all Vol generational team. Too many young players are deluded because of their "handlers"

Actually it's not "might"

He's a lesser version of our recent one and done types. Don't follow the NBA, but don't they have a developmental league? My guess is he ends up there before heading to Europe at some point. Not gonna lose any sleep over a transfer....outgoing or incoming. Crap shoot.

 

[loosecannon]

Choosing to leave a team mid-season should be a breach of scholarship contract and require repayment. That scholarship is for one year and the player did not fulfill their commitment. Keeping the player at school on scholarship while they said they are leaving is just an insane practice.

 

[kckempf]

He's a lesser version of our recent one and done types. Don't follow the NBA, but don't they have a developmental league? My guess is he ends up there before heading to Europe at some point. Not gonna lose any sleep over a transfer....outgoing or incoming. Crap shoot.

He's not a good candidate for the G League right now. Most of them are solid college performers early in their post college careers, with a fair number of them being 2nd round picks (you're more likely to have a short career in the G League than any sort of NBA career if you miss the first round). He would get some play in the summer league and get some interest from foreign teams as he is now.

 

[gainesvol82]

Nobody cares where he ends up given how he conducted his departure. He was a body at this juncture anyway.

I don't respect how he left but why hold any ill will towards "a body"? He chose UT, went through 2 years of the toughest coaching in college basketball in order to improve. He made improvements and was starting to contribute before the injury and Dubar's getting healthy. Once Dubar started to come on it was clear that Carr might get 5-7 minutes a game but not enough to really showcase his talents. He just isn't physically built for the current SEC and is not yet a able to be a major piece of a championship caliber team. I do think he could have helped us with additional depth in case of injury, provided fouls to give and possibly some offense but it wasn't going to be anything significant this year and he likely would not be a starter next year if Barnes is still our coach.

A non-Vol fan perspective from Carr and family could be that he did what was asked, put in the work and his role went to a couple of transfers in their first(and only) year in the program. It's hypocritical to want the best possible transfer class and then fault players who leave because those transfers took their minutes. I don't agree with exactly how Carr left without discussing with Barnes but I certainly understand him preserving the medical redshirt. It's his future and I hope he benefits from what he learned at UT. Once again, ZZ and Mashack are our player leaders who set the culture tone and they had no negativity about the move so that tells me a lot.

 

[ptgrbn]

I don't respect how he left but why hold any ill will towards "a body"? He chose UT, went through 2 years of the toughest coaching in college basketball in order to improve. He made improvements and was starting to contribute before the injury and Dubar's getting healthy. Once Dubar started to come on it was clear that Carr might get 5-7 minutes a game but not enough to really showcase his talents. He just isn't physically built for the current SEC and is not yet a able to be a major piece of a championship caliber team. I do think he could have helped us with additional depth in case of injury, provided fouls to give and possibly some offense but it wasn't going to be anything significant this year and he likely would not be a starter next year if Barnes is still our coach.

A non-Vol fan perspective from Carr and family could be that he did what was asked, put in the work and his role went to a couple of transfers in their first(and only) year in the program. It's hypocritical to want the best possible transfer class and then fault players who leave because those transfers took their minutes. I don't agree with exactly how Carr left without discussing with Barnes but I certainly understand him preserving the medical redshirt. It's his future and I hope he benefits from what he learned at UT. Once again, ZZ and Mashack are our player leaders who set the culture tone and they had no negativity about the move so that tells me a lot.

My issue is that he appeared to try to slink away under the cover of night- Kiffen style instead of acting like an adult and being transparent with his coaches and teammates. He got a lot out of his time here. First class coaching and probably a good paycheck. If all true it shows zero guts and less than zero integrity. He may not have been trying to be selfish but that is certainly what his actions projected. Maybe he’s a body now but imagine what may have been if the lightbulb ever came on with him in our system. What that might have meant for him long term. At this point he was selling only potential to UT so right now it’s no big loss other than what he is currently- a body

 

[gainesvol82]

My issue is that he appeared to try to slink away under the cover of night- Kiffen style instead of acting like an adult and being transparent with his coaches and teammates. He got a lot out of his time here. First class coaching and probably a good paycheck. If all true it shows zero guts and less than zero integrity. He may not have been trying to be selfish but that is certainly what his actions projected. Maybe he’s a body now but imagine what may have been if the lightbulb ever came on with him in our system. What that might have meant for him long term. At this point he was selling only potential to UT so right now it’s no big loss other than what he is currently- a body

I agree that how he left was mishandled and cowardly. The idea that Carr, a rotational player who is injured, couldn't get access to his coach is absolute BS.....especially during the slowest part of the OOC schedule. Also, Carr is still practicing so he had plenty of access to Barnes.

It's much more likely that some combination of agent, handler(s), family and Carr requested a meeting and Barnes refused because he didn't want to play that silly game.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Barnes refused because he didn't want to play that silly game.

‘Zactly

 

[Zues1]

Can't imagine trying to coach players these days.

 

[ptgrbn]

I agree that how he left was mishandled and cowardly. The idea that Carr, a rotational player who is injured, couldn't get access to his coach is absolute BS.....especially during the slowest part of the OOC schedule. Also, Carr is still practicing so he had plenty of access to Barnes.

It's much more likely that some combination of agent, handler(s), family and Carr requested a meeting and Barnes refused because he didn't want to play that silly game.

Kudos to Barnes then. I wouldn’t suffer fools well either. All that said I don’t believe Barnes would omit the facts leading up to Carr’s departure.